RF DAC suits diverse applications

Analog Devices’ AD9164 16-bit, 12-Gsamples/s DAC with on-chip DDS performs direct RF synthesis at 6 Gsamples/s. This compact device brings high resolution and improved accuracy to a wide range of applications, from radar systems to smart-phone testing.

The AD9164’s integrated direct digital synthesizer ensures phase-coherent fast frequency hopping of less than 300 ns for up to 32 different frequencies. In addition, the AD9164 includes a 2× interpolator (FIR with 85-dB digital attenuation) that enables configurability for lower data rates and converter clocking to reduce overall system power and ease filtering requirements. In mixed-mode operation, the converter can be configured to reconstruct RF carriers in the 2nd and 3rd Nyquist zones at up to 7.5 GHz, while maintaining high dynamic range.

According to the manufacturer, the AD9164 offers 100 to 1000 times improved spectral purity versus previous-generation ADI parts (20 dB to 30 dB better). Higher agility with frequency change time is now 100 times shorter than conventional ADI PLL systems.

The AD9164 comes in a 165-ball, 8×8-mm, 0.5-mm pitch CSP-BGA package or 169-ball, 11×11-mm, 0.8-mm pitch CSP-BGA package costing $295 each in lots of 1000 units. A leaded ball option is available for the 11×11-mm CSP-BGA.